Half to william j



(No Model.)

W. P. LYLE. GAME OR EXBRGISING- APPARATUS.

Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

.NITEn WILLIAM P. LYLE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- I-IALF TO IVILLIAM J. SIMPSON, OF SAME PLACE.

GAME OR EXERCISlNG APPARATUS.

SPECIFIGATIDN forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 503,379, dated August 15, 1893. Application filed August 16, 1892. Serial No.443,198. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM P. LYLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Game or Exercising Apparatus, of which the following is a specifioation.

The object of my invention is to provide a bat and ball game which may be used simply for amusement, as a test of skill and marksmanship, or may be employed as a means of practice or exercise for the pitchers of base ball clubs, the device comprising essentially a spring actuated bat, a retainer therefor, and a releasing device preferably under the control of the person pitching or throwing the ball, so that the movement of the bat may be so timed in respect to the throwing of the ball as to cause said bat to strike the ball in its course.

In the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1, represents a perspective diagram of my improved game and exercising apparatus; and Figs. 2 and 3, are diagrams illustrating modifications of parts of the device.

A represents a post or standard upon which is mounted a spring arm B to the outer end of which is secured a bat D, and to the latter, near its outer end, is connected one end of a cord or Wire a, which passes round a pulley b or other suitable guide at the top of a post F and thence extends to a point adjacent to that occupied by the person throwing the ball, which point may be as remote as desired from the bat. For instance, it may represent the distance between the pitchers and batters boxes of the regulation base ball field.

The cord at is provided with a ring a which engages with a pin (Z at the top of a post G and beneath said ring and free to slide on the pin d is a litter f also, in the present instance, in the form of a ring, which is connected by arms f to one end of a lever I pivoted so as to vibrate transversely, the other end of this lever having a projecting stud or pin When the ring a is hooked onto the pin cl the hat 1) will be drawn back as indicated by full lines in Fig. 1.

The person throwing the ball rests the toe of theleft foot upon the pin or stud g, and

as the ball is thrown forward, presses said stud downward so as to lift the ring a clear of the pin (Z and thus permit the bat to swing around to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that, if the ball has been accurately thrown and the release of the bat properly timed, the hat will strike the ball and drive the same back toward the pitcher.

Back of the bat should be arranged a net or sheet J of textile material for catching the balls which are not struck by the bat as the latter swings forward, and there may be provided also, if desired, an inclined run-way similar to those used in ordinary bowling alleys, so that the balls may be returned to the pitchers stand by an attendant located at the net.

Various forms of mechanism for releasing the bat may be adopted without departing from the essential features of my invention. For instance, the post Gr may have a sliding pin (1 connected to an arm I which carries the stud g as shown for instance in Fig. 2 so that on the depression of said stud the pin (Z will be withdrawn from the ring a of the retaining cord, or a retaining pin such as shown for instance at d in Fig. 3 may engage directly with an eye 0, on the bat, this pin being carried by an arm d connected to the stud g by any appropriate devices, for instance, by a cord a passing over suitable guide pulleys and connected to the arm I which carries the stud, as shown in Fig. 3. The releasing device may also be located in some position other than that occupied by the person throwing the ball, when it is desired to efitect the release of the hat by a second player.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat cut 1. The within described bat and ball game apparatus, the same comprising a springmounted bat, a retaining device for said bat, and a releasing device provided with a stud adapted to be depressed by the foot of the person throwing the ball, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the spring-mounted bat, a, retainer for said bat, a tripping stud In testimony whereof I-have signed my adapted to be operated by the foot of the 'pername tothis specification in the presenceof a Son throwing the ball, and a (50rd extending tWO subscribing Witnesses, e f I from thepoint at which the bat is located to WILLIAM PgLYLE. f 5 the point at whichfithe pitcher s tandmand- Wi'tnessesy j y 1 e' serving to GOIIHGCtthQ mechanism "at such -MURRAYOFBOYER, separated poinis substantiallyasspeeified. HARRSQSMITIL 

